We had a Birthday luncheon for a family member in one of Seasons 52's private party rooms at this location in Rockville. Gluten free items served included an organic field greens salad, cedar plank salmon (delicious), and wood-roasted pork tenderloin with soft corn polenta, broccoli, and cremini mushrooms (also delicious). The kids were served grilled chicken "nuggets" (tenderloins) with veggies (fries are NOT gluten free at this restaurant). The gluten free menu at Seasons 52 is not terribly extensive, but what they have is fresh and well prepared. I just wish they'd make an effort to have gluten free buns for the burgers and gluten free corn tortillas for the tacos, because these items are listed on their gluten free menu, but with no bun or tortilla (really?). It's so easy to find good GF burger buns and GF corn tortillas that it would seem a no-brainer and would give the impression they were making more of an effort for their gluten free guests. There are also no gluten free desserts to speak of, which could be easily rectified with a gluten free chocolate mousse "mini" (they offer many mini desserts in small cups) or even a GF "flourless" chocolate cake.

Seasons 52, a nationwide chain, bills itself as a fresh grill and wine bar that features many low calorie menu options, http://www.seasons52.com/menu/nutrition.asp. They also have a separate, what they call, a "no gluten" menu. However, the disclaimer for that particular menu is lengthy and contains the following, "The restaurant is not an allergen-free environment...., and we cannot make a guarantee regarding the allergen content of any menu item."

I looked at the kitchen (it is an open-spaced environment and easily visible) and their practices did not fill me with confidence. I took that into consideration when I ordered from the No Gluten menu. I stuck with simple items, organic edamame as an appetizer and grilled Salmon as my entrée. When I explained to the waiter my situation he was a bit confused as to what actually constitutes gluten. I had to give him details about what is and isn't gluten and what practices are not acceptable. I have no problem educating wait staff but as a customer that shouldn't be my job especially if a restaurant provides a No Gluten menu.

When ordering my salmon I made it clear that I wanted no sauce of any kind (I just didn't trust what they were serving) and I substituted other menu options (broccoli, asparagus, fingerling potatoes) for what they presented on the menu. They were very accommodating by providing what I asked for.

All in all, the food was good but the stress level was a bit higher then what I had hoped for. I think they will improve over time especially if their gluten-free customers help them along.

Seasons 52 in Rockville (or North Bethesda, if you prefer) is an outstanding restaurant and a safe haven for gluten-free dieters. The chef specializes in creating delicious meals that are naturally low in calories and also takes pride in offering an entire set of alternative menus, including, but not limited to, GF, vegan, and lactose-free: www.seasons52.com/menu/alternative_menus.asp.
My wife and I have eaten lunch and dinner at the Rockville location on many occasions and have never been disappointed. The meals are consistently outstanding and the service is impeccable – that is, if you don’t mind chatty, sometimes overly-sociable waiters.
My favorite GF entree is the Grilled Boneless Rainbow Trout, but the Cedar Plank Atlantic Salmon is also amazing.

I don't like to be critical of
restaurants offering Gluten-Free menus, because I feel it would
be ungrateful. I so appreciate restaurants like Seasons 52 who
go to the effort of identifying what on their menu is gluten-free
-- and have the staff training and knowledge to provide a safe
meal for people with Celiac Disease. However, I am starting to
get just a bit frustrated with the "path of least resistance"
approach of offering plain grilled steak, chicken, or fish...and
having to omit the sauces and other seasonings that give a dish
their flavor. This was a bit the case at Seasons 52, where we
dined recently. Their gluten-free menu is average in size and
offerings (not too short but not extensive). However, the
options are pretty standard...oak-griled beef, chicken, or fish --
with just salt, pepper, and olive oil...plus three other entrees:
Rainbow Trout served with potatoes and roasted vegetables
(this is what I ordered -- it was very good), Cedar Plank Salmon,
and Wood Roasted Pork Tenderloin with soft corn polenta and
vegetables (but you couldn't have the Dijon sauce). It just
makes me wonder, again and again, why restaurants can't
make a gluten-free Dijon sauce, thickened with corn starch,
perhaps? And the burgers and sandwiches on the menu are
offered without a bun. Even the tacos must be ordered without
tortillas! Folks, it is not hard to keep some GF corn tortillas on
hand! There were three nice side/starter salads, but only one
appetizer (edamame) and one dessert (fruit). When they bring a
huge tray of desserts to the table to entice you, they may want
to offer another option for GF folks other than fruit! All in all,
everyone at our table was pleased with their meal, but I don't
know that we'd rush back here vs. some of the other places
that go to the effort of making their gluten-free offerings closer
to the "regular" preparation...or tailoring their recipes to make
more of them GF to begin with. At the very least, they should
offer gluten-free buns, tortillas, and experiment with some more
interesting sauces and seasonings for their gluten-free menu
options so people don't feel they are sacrificing full flavor by
eating from the gluten-free menu. And there must be
something in the way of appetizers that can be offered for
gluten-free folks! I will note, however, that Seasons 52 does
also offer other "alternative" menus for people with other
sensitivities, so they have clearly taken the time to identify potentially problematic ingredients for various sensitive
individuals. They have menus that are lactose free, low sodium,
garlic free (great for one of the people in our party who is
sensitive to garlic), vegetarian, and vegan. I'm giving them a 4
palm rating b/c they do have a gluten-free menu, but for the
upscale type of restaurant this is, they should have more
creative options.